First Nations NAIDOC art commission

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Celebrating Culture Through Art During NAIDOC Week 2026

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, marking 50 Years of Deadly, Indigo Shire Council is proud to announce two exciting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create commissioned artwork that celebrates our region's rich cultural heritage and contributes to our growing cultural collection.

This year, for the first time, Council is offering two commissions: our established Cultural Commission, and a new Emerging Artist Commission designed to support artists at the start of their professional practice.

About These Commissions

We invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who have a connection to Country and communities within the Indigo Shire footprint to submit an Expression of Interest for either or both of the following commissions.

Cultural Commission

  • Commission Value: $5,000 (all inclusive)
  • Theme: "50 Years of Deadly" – 2026 NAIDOC Week Theme
  • Medium: Open to all artistic mediums

Emerging Artist Commission (new for 2026)

  • Commission Value: $2,500 (all inclusive)
  • Theme: "50 Years of Deadly" – 2026 NAIDOC Week Theme
  • Medium: Open to all artistic mediums
  • Eligibility: Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who are in the early stages of their professional practice, including those with limited or no prior paid commissions. Full eligibility details are set out in the EOI guidelines.

Purpose and Context

Indigo Shire Council is committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our region. Through these commissions, we aim to provide a platform for Aboriginal artistic voices, including artists just beginning their careers, while strengthening our community's understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture. These commissions represent part of Council's broader reconciliation journey and our dedication to ensuring Aboriginal perspectives are central to our community's cultural landscape.

The original artworks will become part of Council's growing cultural collection, contributing to our ongoing commitment to celebrating and supporting Aboriginal artistic expression in our community.

The Indigo Shire Council works in partnership with Murray Arts, Burraja Gallery and the Aboriginal Regional Artist Network (External link) to provide cultural guidance throughout this process, ensuring both commissions are conducted with appropriate cultural protocols and community access and input.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is open exclusively to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who demonstrate:

  • Cultural connection to Country and/or communities within the Indigo Shire footprint
  • Professional artistic practice and experience (for the Cultural Commission) or early-career artistic practice (for the Emerging Artist Commission)
  • Capacity to complete the commission within the specified timeframe
  • Understanding of community and cultural protocols

Applicants may apply for the Cultural Commission, the Emerging Artist Commission, or both. Please indicate clearly on your Expression of Interest which commission(s) you are applying for.

How to Apply

Download the full Expression of Interest guidelines document below for detailed application requirements, selection criteria, and submission instructions for both commissions.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact:

Kellie Sutherland – Creative Communities Officer – Arts and Culture Email: kellie.sutherland@indigoshire.vic.gov.au Phone: 0487 045 209

This opportunity is open exclusively to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Indigo Shire Council acknowledges the original custodians of these lands. The people of the rivers and the hills have walked these lands for thousands of years as well as today, and we pay respect to the elders of the past and present.

Celebrating Culture Through Art During NAIDOC Week 2026

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, marking 50 Years of Deadly, Indigo Shire Council is proud to announce two exciting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create commissioned artwork that celebrates our region's rich cultural heritage and contributes to our growing cultural collection.

This year, for the first time, Council is offering two commissions: our established Cultural Commission, and a new Emerging Artist Commission designed to support artists at the start of their professional practice.

About These Commissions

We invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who have a connection to Country and communities within the Indigo Shire footprint to submit an Expression of Interest for either or both of the following commissions.

Cultural Commission

  • Commission Value: $5,000 (all inclusive)
  • Theme: "50 Years of Deadly" – 2026 NAIDOC Week Theme
  • Medium: Open to all artistic mediums

Emerging Artist Commission (new for 2026)

  • Commission Value: $2,500 (all inclusive)
  • Theme: "50 Years of Deadly" – 2026 NAIDOC Week Theme
  • Medium: Open to all artistic mediums
  • Eligibility: Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who are in the early stages of their professional practice, including those with limited or no prior paid commissions. Full eligibility details are set out in the EOI guidelines.

Purpose and Context

Indigo Shire Council is committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our region. Through these commissions, we aim to provide a platform for Aboriginal artistic voices, including artists just beginning their careers, while strengthening our community's understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture. These commissions represent part of Council's broader reconciliation journey and our dedication to ensuring Aboriginal perspectives are central to our community's cultural landscape.

The original artworks will become part of Council's growing cultural collection, contributing to our ongoing commitment to celebrating and supporting Aboriginal artistic expression in our community.

The Indigo Shire Council works in partnership with Murray Arts, Burraja Gallery and the Aboriginal Regional Artist Network (External link) to provide cultural guidance throughout this process, ensuring both commissions are conducted with appropriate cultural protocols and community access and input.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is open exclusively to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who demonstrate:

  • Cultural connection to Country and/or communities within the Indigo Shire footprint
  • Professional artistic practice and experience (for the Cultural Commission) or early-career artistic practice (for the Emerging Artist Commission)
  • Capacity to complete the commission within the specified timeframe
  • Understanding of community and cultural protocols

Applicants may apply for the Cultural Commission, the Emerging Artist Commission, or both. Please indicate clearly on your Expression of Interest which commission(s) you are applying for.

How to Apply

Download the full Expression of Interest guidelines document below for detailed application requirements, selection criteria, and submission instructions for both commissions.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact:

Kellie Sutherland – Creative Communities Officer – Arts and Culture Email: kellie.sutherland@indigoshire.vic.gov.au Phone: 0487 045 209

This opportunity is open exclusively to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Indigo Shire Council acknowledges the original custodians of these lands. The people of the rivers and the hills have walked these lands for thousands of years as well as today, and we pay respect to the elders of the past and present.

Page last updated: 29 Jun 2026, 01:18 PM